Topical Bible: Faith in the Battle With the Canaanites

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The conquest of Canaan, as recorded in the Old Testament, is a profound narrative of faith in action. The Israelites, under the leadership of Joshua, faced formidable adversaries in the Canaanites, who were known for their fortified cities and advanced military capabilities. The biblical account emphasizes that the victories achieved by the Israelites were not due to their own strength or numbers, but rather through their faith in God and His promises.

Divine Promise and Assurance

The foundation of Israel's conquest was the divine promise given to Abraham and reiterated to his descendants. God assured Abraham, "To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great River Euphrates" (Genesis 15:18). This promise was a cornerstone of Israel's faith, providing assurance that the land of Canaan was divinely appointed to them.

Joshua's Leadership and Faith

Joshua, as Moses' successor, exemplified faith and obedience. Before the battle of Jericho, God commanded Joshua, "See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its mighty men of valor" (Joshua 6:2). Joshua's unwavering faith in God's word was evident as he led the Israelites in a seemingly unconventional military strategy—marching around the city for seven days. The walls of Jericho fell, demonstrating that faith in God's instructions, no matter how unusual, leads to victory.

The Role of Rahab

Rahab, a Canaanite woman, displayed remarkable faith by hiding the Israelite spies and acknowledging the sovereignty of the God of Israel. She declared, "For the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below" (Joshua 2:11). Her faith not only secured her family's safety but also positioned her in the lineage of Jesus Christ, as noted in the genealogy in Matthew 1.

The Battle of Ai and the Lesson of Achan

The initial defeat at Ai served as a critical lesson on the importance of faith and obedience. Achan's sin of taking devoted items led to Israel's failure, highlighting that faith must be accompanied by holiness and adherence to God's commands. Once the sin was addressed, God reassured Joshua, "Do not be afraid or discouraged. Take the whole army with you, and go up and attack Ai" (Joshua 8:1). The subsequent victory reinforced the principle that faith and obedience are inseparable in the pursuit of God's promises.

The Gibeonite Deception

The account of the Gibeonites, who deceived Israel into making a treaty with them, underscores the necessity of seeking God's guidance in all decisions. The Israelites "did not inquire of the LORD" (Joshua 9:14), resulting in an alliance that was contrary to God's command. This incident serves as a reminder that faith involves constant reliance on God's wisdom and discernment.

The Southern and Northern Campaigns

In the southern and northern campaigns, Joshua's faith was again pivotal. God encouraged him, saying, "Do not be afraid of them, for I have delivered them into your hand. Not one of them will be able to stand against you" (Joshua 10:8). The miraculous events, such as the sun standing still, further demonstrated that faith in God's power can alter the natural order to fulfill His purposes.

Conclusion of the Conquest

The conquest of Canaan concluded with the division of the land among the tribes of Israel. Joshua's farewell address reminded the people of the faithfulness of God and the necessity of their continued faithfulness: "But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD" (Joshua 24:15). This declaration encapsulates the essence of faith in the battle with the Canaanites—a steadfast commitment to trust and serve God amidst challenges.

Nave's Topical Index

1 Chronicles 5:20
And they were helped against them, and the Hagarites were delivered into their hand, and all that were with them: for they cried to God in the battle, and he was entreated of them; because they put their trust in him.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Man of Faith
... GENESIS THE MAN OF FAITH. ... land for me, peopled as it is with all these Canaanites.'
We are ... us feel as pilgrims, which is in itself more than half the battle. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the man of faith.htm

Waiting Faith Rewarded and Strengthened by New Revelations
... hiving off of Lot, and one after the battle with the ... What a trial of Abram's faith
it was to bid him ... How often Canaanites and his own household would smile as ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture k/waiting faith rewarded and strengthened.htm

Though Many Other Widows came Near to Judith in virtue...
... But when the Canaanites, a people fierce in battle and rich in troops, successively
joined them, showed a ... But in a mystery it is the battle of faith and the ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter viii though many other.htm

Turning Back in the Day of Battle
... saved, and only those who have a true faith in Jesus ... are piled on heaps, and where
the battle-axes drip ... Canaan, and to have driven out the Canaanites still left ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 12 1866/turning back in the day.htm

The True Sign
... When in the days of Joshua Israel went out to battle with the Canaanites at Bethhoron,
the ... Their lack of faith and spiritual insight had often led them to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 44 the true sign.htm

Rahab's Faith
... cause when the enemy mustereth his thousands to the battle. ... Rahab was the right sort
of faith, for it ... coming to Jericho; and, besides, the Canaanites are mighty ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/rahabs faith.htm

A Nation's Struggle for a Home and Freedom.
... that had been developed by the Canaanites for many ... his people which they received
in the battle beside Kishon. ... Hebrew tribes together was their faith in Jehovah ...
/.../kent/the making of a nation/study xii a nations struggle.htm

The Sovereignty of God in Operation
... by the power of God through faith unto salvation ... they should come against Israel
in battle, that He ... why God purposed to "destroy utterly" the Canaanites-it was ...
/.../pink/the sovereignty of god/chapter six the sovereignty of.htm

The Training of a Statesman.
... us have faith that right makes might, and in that faith let us ... by slaying Sisera,
the fleeing king of the Canaanites, after the memorable battle beside the ...
/.../kent/the making of a nation/study viii the training of.htm

The Wilderness.
... the conditions of the Covenant, guiding their faith onwards by ... full of hill forts,
held by Canaanites of giant ... a prayer of atonement, a great battle was fought ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson iv the wilderness.htm